Chapter 1 of the novel Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey introduces the protagonist, Charlie Bucktin, a thirteen-year-old boy living in the small town of Corrigan in Western Australia. Charlie is an avid reader and spends most of his time reading books, much to the disappointment of his father, who wants him to play cricket like other boys his age.

One night, Charlie is woken up by a knock on his window. It is Jasper Jones, a mixed-race boy who is considered an outcast in the town. Jasper is in a state of panic and asks Charlie to follow him to the outskirts of town. Charlie, intrigued by Jasper’s urgency, agrees to go with him.

Jasper takes Charlie to a clearing in the woods where they discover the dead body of Laura Wishart, the daughter of the town’s wealthiest family. Jasper is convinced that he will be blamed for the murder because of his reputation as a troublemaker. He pleads with Charlie to keep the discovery a secret and to help him find the real killer.

Charlie is torn between his loyalty to Jasper and his fear of getting involved in something dangerous. He is also struggling with his own identity as a bookish, introverted boy in a town that values athleticism and conformity.

The chapter ends with Charlie agreeing to help Jasper and the two boys embarking on a dangerous journey to uncover the truth about Laura’s death. The stage is set for a gripping mystery that will test Charlie’s courage and challenge his beliefs about justice and morality.